Raiders released two veterans on Monday

Two days after cutting ties with veteran running back Justin Fargas on Saturday, the Oakland Raiders continued dumping veteran players by releasing another two veterans: wide receiver Javon Walker and defensive end Greg Ellis.

Walker was a disappointment right from the start after signing a $55 million contract that included an $11 million signing bonus two years ago. He caught 15 passes for 196 yards and one touchdown in two injury-plagued seasons in Raiders jerseys, while receiving $14 million in pay. When they signed Walker, the Raiders’ expectation was to add a No. 1 receiver to roster because Walker’s previous performance was good enough to have a good deal. He had 89 catches for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2004 for the Green Bay Packers and 69 catches for 1,084 yards and eight scores in 2006 for the Denver Broncos. After injuring his knee in 2007, he was totally a different player. He was out of shape at the beginning of 2008 season and was injured again in June during a robbery in Las Vegas. In his first season with the Raiders, he played in eight games before getting injured again and having to finish the season in injured reserve. He barely played in 2009 season while recovering from a knee surgery.

As for Ellis, he was offered a two-year contract by the Raiders after being released by the Dallas cowboys. Contrary to Walker, Ellis proved a strong veteran presence on Raiders’ defensive line by tying for the team lead with seven sacks last season. He was cut along with Walker partly because he got hampered by chronic knee problems in the second half of last season. Another possible reason is that he was due a $2.5 million salary for 2010 season but the Raiders do not want to pay him that money.